Tokyo, Jan. 29 — Lexus International today announced the finalists for the third annual Lexus Design Award, an international competition that fosters the next generation of creators shaping a better future through design. A total of 1,171 entries from 72 countries were received. The 12 finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas at Milan Design Week 2015.

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs , Lexus , Toyota , Design/Style A reshuffle in the uppermost ranks of Lexus could see the Japanese luxury brand further energize its recent focus on design. Tokuo Fukuichi, Toyota’s global design boss, is the new head of Lexus International. Fukuichi will retain his role as the overall head of design for Toyota , Lexus and Scion , and will assume his new position at the head of Lexus and on its board on April 1 (no fooling). This is going to be an interesting move for fans of design to watch, as Fukuichi has repeatedly been mentioned as a designer that enjoys pushing the envelope and experimenting. He is, after all, the man responsible for designing the most awesomely odd minivan of the 1990s, the mid-engined, rear-drive Toyota Previa, and more recently, he signed off on the controversial Lexus LF-NX concept , which is said to presage a new production small crossover. “Regarding changes in design, no one has 100 percent confidence,” Fukuichi told Forbes back in January 2013. “No one can really say with pure certainty that, ‘In two years, this will sell well.'” As Akio Toyoda continues to demand more assertive, edgier designs, it’s that point of view that should make Fukuichi a valuable addition to Lexus, as it continues to challenge the competition from Germany. Fukuichi replaces Kiotaka Ise, who will become the chief officer at Toyota Research and Development, according to Automotive News . Lexus gets new boss, and he’s a designer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Feb 2014 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .

NEW YORK (Sept. 6, 2013)—To celebrate the launch of its all-new 2014 IS performance sedan, Lexus created and hosted a MADE Fashion Week event last night debuting a first-ever live holographic performance art experience. The event, “Lexus Design Disrupted,” featured supermodel Coco Rocha and a bold retrospective from the archives of designer Giles Deacon in a creative concept inspired by the IS and the brand’s commitment to design and technology. Joe Zee,

August 1, 2013 —Following the strong response with applicants from more than 72 countries for the first Lexus Design Award, Lexus is looking for a new wave of next-generation innovators to benefit from the second Lexus Design Award, an international design competition.

TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 8, 2013 – Lexus will stage a design exhibition in partnership with a world-renowned artist at Milan Design Week in April 2013*, where winning designs from the first Lexus Design Award launched last year will also be on display.

TORRANCE, Calif.., Nov. 27, 2012 – The Lexus International Division of Toyota Motor Corporation announces the launch of the Lexus Design Award, an international design competition targeting designers around the world.